Date of Award

1999

Degree Name

Psychology

College

College of Liberal Arts

Type of Degree

M.A.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Steven Mewaldt

Second Advisor

Stuart Thomas

Third Advisor

Helen Linkey

Abstract

There is a significant body of evidence suggesting that males have better spatial abilities than females Most research has focused on genetic explanations for these differences in abilities This study asked whether social factors or expectations play a role in producing the observed differences. A spatial perceptual test (from the Kit of Factor-Referenced Cognitive Tests) consisting of four subtests, The Card Rotations test, Cube Comparisons test, Paper Folding test, and Surface Development test, was given to I 07 participants ( 48 females and 59 males). These tests are designed to measure visual and spatial abilities. The participants were divided into two experimental groups. One group was told about previous research that found females perform better than males on tests measuring visual and spatial abilities. The second group was told about research findings showing males score higher than females on visual and spatial tests Overall, males did answer more items correctly than females supporting the previously observed gender differences. However, the results indicated that the instructions did affect the participants' test scores_ It appears that the participants tried harder to do well on the tests when they had an expectation that they should do well. They therefore spent more time on each item and made fewer errors when they were told their gender generally performs better on the task. The participants also attempted fewer items which could indicate that the participants were spending more time on each item because they were trying to do well and live up to the expectation they were given.

Subject(s)

Spatial ability -- Testing.

Spatial ability -- Effect of gender on.

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